Marrying my secret admirer after my husband's fake death novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Edith had barely set foot in the Sumner household before her phone buzzed with a message from Salome–an intimate photo, the kind that twisted a knife she’d thought had already dulled.

Jayne took Edith’s suitcase, her eyes flickering with concern as she caught the frown on her daughter’s face. “Edith, sweetheart, what’s wrong? Still thinking about Beckett?” Jayne’s voice was gentle, trying to coax out the truth. “I know the Hawksleys are pressing for an answer, but I won’t force you. We can talk about it when you’re truly ready.”

Edith glanced at her phone, her face unreadable. With a few swift taps, she deleted the chat and slipped her phone away. She managed a small, reassuring smile for her mother. “Mom, I really am over it. The past is past–what matters is the living. We can go ahead and start arranging things with the Hawksleys.”

Jayne had heard Edith say as much over the phone, but hearing it in person left her momentarily stunned. Still, she knew her daughter well enough to trust she wasn’t pretending.

Relief softened Jayne’s face. She gave Edith’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “You’re right, darling. The past is gone, and we’re the ones who matter now. Once your father’s situation is sorted, we’ll handle the Hawksley arrangements.”

Edith’s smile grew easier, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Only back at the Sumner home did she finally feel the tension slip from her shoulders. She hadn’t slept well for days; tonight, she was determined to catch up.

The next morning, Edith woke to the sound of excited knocking.

Jayne burst in, barely able to contain herself. “Edith! Your father’s case was just picked up by Attorney Grant! We’re as good as saved!”

Edith, still tangled in sleep, wondered for a moment if she was dreaming. When Jayne sat on the edge of her bed and shook her arm, the truth finally sank in.

Rubbing her eyes, Edith asked, “Attorney Grant? You mean the Attorney Grant from Northcrest? The famous one?”

Because of Kearney’s involvement in the hospital corruption scandal, Edith had followed every development closely. She remembered clearly: Attorney Grant wasn’t the sort of lawyer you could hire just by waving money around. You needed connections–serious ones.

Half–awake now, Edith frowned in disbelief. “The Vance family managed to get Attorney Grant?”

Last time, the Vances had promised to help with Kearney’s case because of Dr. White. Edith had assumed it would take them weeks, if not longer.

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